Cowboys Reportedly Offered Ezekiel Elliott Contract That Would Make Him 2nd-Highest Paid RB in NFL

Will this be enough to get Ezekiel Elliott back before the season starts?

According to ESPN's Ed Werder, the Dallas Cowboys have offered Elliot a contract that would make him the second-highest paid running back behind Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley.

So, if this is what Dallas if offering Zeke, then the AAV would be between Gurley's $14.375 million per year and Le'Veon Bell's $13.125 million per year.

Everyone knows Elliott wants to be the highest-paid running back and surpass Gurley's four-year, $57.5 million deal he signed last summer, but this appears to be a fair compromise, especially since he has a couple more years left on his current deal and the Cowboys have plenty other players to pay.

The former No. 4 overall pick is has been training in Mexico instead of practicing with his teammates before the season starts in a couple weeks. At one point there seemed to be no "real progress" in contract negotiations, so it's a positive sign that there's some dialogue between the two sides. The fact that it's gotten this far is actually very encouraging.

In 15 games last season, Elliott accumulated 1,434 rushing yards on 304 carries, hauled in 77 receptions for 567 yards, and score 9 total touchdowns, which is production the Cowboys desperately need on their offense.